Hilton Among Founding Members of White House First Job Compact

Hilton (No. 42 on the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list) has joined other leading American companies as a founding member of the White House’s First Job Compact. The initiative represents President Obama’s call-to-action for communities and businesses to help connect out-of-school, out-of-work Opportunity Youth ages 16 to 24 to their first jobs.

Hilton has a long history of creating opportunities for young people. In 2014, the company announced a formal commitment to impact at least one million young people around the globe by 2019. The initiative includes preparing young people for success through mentorships, apprenticeships and an innovative career awareness program (Careers@HiltonLive), as well as by employing them directly across all parts of the business.

“A first job can truly be life-changing, and at Hilton, we’ve seen countless examples of how someone can build their confidence, their skills and ultimately a fulfilling life if they are set on the right track in the beginning,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see someone who joined us in an entry-level position one day rise to the highest levels, and we are proud to partner with the White House to make this a reality for even more youth. Many of the most serious issues facing our nation and our world can be addressed by ensuring millions of young people receive the right opportunities when they are just starting out, and businesses like Hilton are very fortunate to benefit from their energy, passion and drive.”

Mr. Nassetta knows first-hand how important an initial job can be to launching a career. His first job was in the engineering department of a Washington, D.C., hotel, which sparked his passion for the hospitality industry and paved the way for his career. He speaks about his career progression and provides advice to job seekers in a video published on his Facebook page.

The October 11 announcement of the First Job Compact was made in advance of the ESPN Town Hall with President Obama. To learn more about Hilton’s commitment to youth, visit the company’s youth website and Mr. Nassetta’s recent op-ed on the youth unemployment crisis.